ABSTRACT
Cuttings and embankments on the early railways were planned on the principle of designing for normal, expected conditions and dealing with the abnormal when it is encountered. Between 1834 and 1841, nine main lines of railway were built in England totalling 660 miles in length complete with tunnels, bridges, viaducts and stations and involving the excavation, in cuttings, of some 70 million cu.yd of material, most of which was used in making embankments. The high rates of construction were achieved by good organisation and a large work force. The method may have originated in making the 'batteries' (embankments) on colliery railways in the north-eastern coalfield, and there is a strong likelyhood that George Stephenson adopted end-tipping on the Stockton & Darlington Railway. The converse process of banking from side-cuttings is exemplified by Swindon embankment on the Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railway.
